Online voting for the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) annual awards, in which the American Saddlebred breed is represented by nominees in two categories, closes at midnight on the evening of Friday, January 8.

Among the five candidates nominated for the Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the year is CHOur Charming Lady, this year’s winner of the Saddlebred Three-Gaited Triple Crown, and the only Saddlebred Triple Crown winner in 2009. CHOur Charming Lady claimed Three-Gaited Championship victories at the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville, the Lexington Junior League Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, and the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri.

With her Triple Crown winning appearance at American Royal, CHOur Charming Lady has now remained undefeated in 34 consecutive classes, dating back to November 2006. CHOur Charming Lady is owned by Jack and Donna Finch of North Carolina.

There is also a Saddlebred presence among the 2009 USEF Equestrian of the Year nominees. For his achievements in breeding, training, showing and marketing American Saddlebreds, as well as Hackneys, Dr. Alan Raun has been named by USEF as the 2009 recipient of the Bill Robinson Trophy, which is presented to an equestrian competing with horses or ponies across all breeds in harness or for driving performance in non-international competitions.

Dr. Raun’s career with American Saddlebreds and Hackneys dates back to 1951, and as recently as this year he trained and drove 2009 Junior Fine Harness World Champion It’s Dan The man, as well as Twin Willow’s McDreamy and Heartland Undeniable, winners of the UPHA Roadster Pony Classic and Midwest Charity Hackney Pony Championship, respectively.

The Bill Robinson Trophy is one of seven distinctions that places an individual among the USEF Equestrians of Honor, and as USEF’s 2009 recipient of this award Dr. Raun is a nominee for 2009 USEF Equestrian of the Year.

Any USEF member can vote for the USEF Horse of the Year and Equestrian of the Year. To vote for Horse of the Year, visit the USEF website, www.usef.org , and for Equestrian of the Year, click www.usef.org.